Table 2.

Key findings from potential users on the acceptability and perceptions of Web-based sexual health services/testing and how these influenced the design of GetCheckedOnline.

Activity	Key findings	Influence on GCOa design
Interviews and focus groups with youth to determine their perceptions of sexual health websites [32]	For sexual health–related websites youth preferred practical information, professional approaches to design and content (vs colloquial or explicit language or images)	Adopted professional tone using every day, noncolloquial language and select use of imagery
Interviews and focus groups with youth, MSMb, and clinic clients to determine their perceptions of Web-based testing in general and GCO specifically [43]	Web-based testing perceived as convenient, offering immediate access to testing, greater privacy, reduced anxiety compared with face-to-face testing, and greater control over the testing process Concerns about providing personal information via the Internet, potential for abuse (eg, if an account was created using email belong to someone else), distrust of security of data provided via the Internet, lack of comprehensive pretest information, lack of support for individuals receiving a positive result. Expectations that Web-based testing would be professional, adhere to standard guidelines (and advise when different, such as lack of swabs), be fully on the Internet (eg, from booking appointments for specimen collection, to electronic ordering of tests, to getting results and prescriptions), ability to control how and when they receive notifications	Minimum data is collected with rationale for questions provided Account creation requires email validation Explicit privacy policy and terms of use developed to explain how data is collected, stored, and used Advice provided for additional privacy measures (eg, clearing cache) Detailed pretest information provided No positive results provided via the Internet, only by phone, with links to other services accessible throughout the website Testing reminders can be turned off Tailored educational information is provided for other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections testing or prevention strategies not available through GCO (eg, emergency contraception, throat, and rectal swabs) GCO clearly identified as a program of the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Wording on the GCO website and promotions emphasize privacy and convenience of the service
Web-based national survey of Canadian MSM to determine intention to use Web-based testing [34]	Overall intention to use Web-based testing was 72%, with little variation by participant characteristics. Greatest perceived benefits were privacy, convenience, and testing any time. Greatest drawbacks were inability to see a doctor or nurse, wanting to talk to someone about results, not wanting Web-based results, and low trust in the service

^aGCO: GetCheckedOnline.

^bMSM: men who have sex with men.